Feeding mechanism for book creasing and pressing machine



March 19, 1957 c. SCHRAMM 2,785,812

FEE-DING MECHANISM FOR BOOK CREASING AND PRESSING MACHINE Filed Oct. 8, 1952 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR 5w CARL SCHRAMM er gait 11W TTORNEY March 19, 1957 c. SCHRAMM 2,785,812

FEEDING MECHANISM FOR BOOK CREASING AND PRESSING MACHINE Filed Oct. 8, 1952 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 lNl/ENTOR CARL SCI-IRAMM ATTORNEY C. SCHRAMM March 19, 1957 I FEEDING MECHANISM FOR BOOK CREZASING AND PRESSING MACHINE Filed Oct. 8, 1952 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR romvsy CARL SCHRA MM .-wm@ nn k..-i-iTWlIEIMMW C. SCHRAMM March 19, 1957 FEEDING MECHANISM FOR BOOK CREASING AND PRESSING MACHINE Filed Oct. 8, 1952 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR CARL SCI/RA MM W 7' TORNEV United States Patent FEEDING MECHANISM FOR BOOK CREASING AND PRESSING MACHINE Carl Schramm, North Coventry, Conn., assignor to The Smyth Manufacturing Company, Hartford, Conn., a corporation of Connecticut Application October 8, 1952, Serial No. 313,631

18 Claims. (Cl. 214-91) While not necessarily so limited, a feeding mechanism embodying the invention is particularly adapted for use with a machine for creasing and pressing books of the general type disclosed in my copending application Serial No. 722,343, filed January 16, 1947, now Patent No. 2,63 5,262, entitled, Machine for Creasing and Pressing Books.

The general object of the invention is to provide an improved book feeding mechanism which is adapted to suecessively receive books manually delivered thereto otherwise than in a vertical position and to then successively transfer the books to a vertical position. More specifically the feeding mechanism is adapted to successively receive books manually delivered thereto from a book casing-in machine and to successively transfer the said books to a vertical position for entry into a machine for creasing and pressing the books.

A further object of the invention is to provide means for enabling various parts to be adjusted in relation to each other for accommodating books of various thicknesses or of various widths or of various lengths.

A still further object of the invention is to provide means for automatically stopping the mechanism in the event that a book is not fully moved into position for transfer by the transfer device.

Still further objects of the invention are to provide various features of structure and arrangement of parts which make possible or facilitate the attainment of the forego ng more general objects.

Still other objects of the invention will be apparent from the drawings and from the following description and claims.

In the drawings there is shown in detail a preferred embodiment of the invention, but it will be understood that various changes may be made from the construction shown, and that the drawings are not to be construed as defining or limiting the scope of the invention, the claims forming a part of this specification being relied upon for that purpose.

Of the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a front view of a book feeding mechanism embodying the invention, certain portions of the book creasing and pressing machine being also shown.

Fig. 1 is an enlarged fragmentary transverse sectional view taken along the line 1** a of Fig. 5.

Fig. 2 is a. fragmentary horizontal sectional view taken along the line 22 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. l but showing some of the parts in different positions.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary plan view taken along the line 4-4 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary view taken in the direction of the arrows 5, 5 in Fig. 1.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken along the line 6-6 in Fig. 5.

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary schematic view showing various electrical connections together with a switch operating cam on the creasing and pressing machine.

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary side view of the feeding mecha- 'ice nism with the conveyor omitted, this view showing portions of the creasing and pressing machine and the upper portion of the view being taken along the line 8-8 of Fig. 3.

GENERAL ORGANIZATION The machine for creasing and pressing books is or may be constructed in general accordance with the disclosure the beforementioned patent, with the principal exception that the machine does not include a casing-in mechanism such as is shown at station A of Fig. 1 of the drawings of the said patent. The casing-in operation is effected by a separate machine which does not constitute any part of the present invention, the books being transferred or delivered manually from the casing-in machine to the feeding mechanism embodying the present invention.

in the machine as disclosed in the said Patent No. 2,635,262 the cased-in books are engaged by a longitudinal series of pairs of carrier jaws, the carrier jaws being moved toward each other to engage the books and being then moved longitudinally to move the books from station to station along the machine. After the books have been so moved, the carrier jaws are separated and moved longitudinally in the opposite direction and then again toward each other to engage the books for a subsequent station to station movement of the books. At some of the stations oppositely disposed creaser jaws are provided which move toward each other to engage the books and to form the cover joint creases therein. At the final station the books are engaged by oppositely disposed presser plates.

in order that the creasing and pressing machine may be adapted for use with a feeding mechanism embodying the present invention, the machine is provided with suppiemental carrier jaws 8, 8 pivotally connected with bars 1% it) which serve to move them as shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 5, the said carrier jaws having the same motions as described above for the other carrier jaws and being movable toward the right beyond the main portions of the machine. As hereinafter explained in detail, the feeding mechanism embodying the present invention moves the books successively into vertical receiving positions between the carrier jaws S, 8, the carrier jaws being then moved toward each other and then longitudinally and toward the left, as viewed in Fig. 5, to transfer the books to a position where they can be engaged by other carrier jaws and moved longitudinally from station to station through the creasing and pressing machine. Positioned above and adjacent the carrier jaws are longitudinal guides 12, 12 for the books. The carrier jaws 8, 8 and the guides 12, 12 may be adjusted transversely to accommodate books of different thicknesses. The carrier jaws 8, 3 are herein sometimes referred to as book moving means.

The feeding mechanism comprises a book receiving means having an upwardly facing surface for the successive reception of books arranged in longitudinal sequence with their backs all facing in the same general direction. Said book receiving means also includes a conveyor for moving said books longitudinally. Preferably said conveyor is of the endless belt type and said upwardly facing surface of the receiving means is the upper face of the upper run of the belt or belts of the conveyor. Said feeding mechanism includes movable stops as hereinafter described in detail for controlling the movement of the books by the conveyor successively to a receiving position. The feeding mechanism preferably also comprises transfer mechanism adapted to be positioned adjacent the machine and located at the leading or book discharge end of said book receiving means and at the said receiving position for successively engaging and transferring hooks discharged by said conveyor from said receiving means. The said transfer mechanism serves to transfer each successively engage-d book and to move it to a transfer position which may be a vertical position at the receiving station of the machine. When the books are moved to a vertical transfer position they are then engaged by the book mov ing means of the machine and moved longitudinally into the machine. The transfer mechanism preferably in cludes, as a major portion thereof, a transfer device which is engageable with the books to move them from the receiving position to the transfer position, the transfer device preferably being pivotally movable about a longitudinal axis between lower receiving and upper transfer positions.

In the presently preferred embodiment of the invention, the feeding mechanism is supported by a framework which includes a bracket 13 extending toward the right as shown in Fig. 8 and secured at its left end to the main frame 14 of the machine. The said framework also includes a second bracket 15 projecting toward the right secured at its left end to the projecting end portion of the bracket 13, the said bracket 15 having a saddle 16 at the projecting right end thereof. The said brackets 13 and 15 are additionally supported respectively by floor engaging posts 18 and 20.

Book receiving means The book receiving means is carried by the bracket 15 and more particularly by the saddle 16. Said receiving means preferably comprises at least one longitudinal endless belt having its upper run facing upwardly and providing the upwardly facing book receiving surface of said means, the belt being adapted to receive books that are manually delivered thereto. As shown, there is provided a plurality of similar transversely spaced longitudinal endless bel ts having their upper runs facing upwardly and in the same plane. While the invention is not necessarily so limited, the upwardly facing surface of the receiving means, that is, the plane of the upper run or runs of the belt or belts is preferably transversely inclined, a longitudinal guide being provided near the lower side of the belts for determining the path of longitudinal book movement and the books being held by gravity in engagement with the guide. The angle of transverse inclination may be on the order of 45 and it is shown as being exactly 45. The presently preferred book receiving means and the parts immediately associated therewith will now be described.

The saddle 16 is provided at 22 with an inclined guideway, the angle of inclination preferably being 45. Engaging the guideway 22 and adjustable therealong is a bracket 24 which carries a rectangular conveyor frame 25. The bracket 24 andthe conveyor frame 25 are adjustable along the guideway 22 by means of one or more screws 26 and said bracket may be locked in adjusted position by one or more clamping bolts 28.

The frame 25 carries a plurality of similar endless longitudinal feed belts 3t), 30 having their upper runs in the same transversely inclined plane, this plane being inclined at an angle complementalto that of the guideway 22. The feed belts 30, 30 at the left extend around pulleys 32, 32 on a shaft 34 which is journaled in the frame 25. The feed belts 30, 31} at the right extend around pulleys 36, 36 on a shaft 38. The shaft 38 is journaled at its ends in bearing blocks 40, 4 3, these bearing blocks being adjustable longitudinally of the frame 25 by means of screws 42, 42 and'43, 43. The said screws enable the blocks 40, 49 to be adjusted longitudinally to properly tighten the belts 30, 30. A plate 44 extends across the top of the conveyor frame 25 for supporting the upper runs of the conveyor belts 30, 30. As shown in Fig. 1 longitudinal strips 45, 45, preferably formed of wood, are carried by the plate 44 adjacent the said upper runs of the belts 30, 30. These strips are thicker at the lower edges and are provided with inclined faces which prevent the books from engaging the edges of the belts and which thus facilitate transverse sliding.

The shaft 34 is rotated to drive the :belts 30,30 and for this purpose the shaft has secured to it a'gear46 which meshes with a gear 48. The gear 48 is secured to a shaft 50 which is journaled in the bracket 15 and not in the conveyor frame 25. Secured to the post 18 is a bracket 52 which carries an electric driving motor 54. Also carried by the bracket 52 and connected with the motor 54 is a reduction gear unit 56 having a drives-bait 58 in alignment with the shaft 58*} A sleeve 61) operatively connects the two shafts 58 and 50. c When the motor is operated, the gear 48 is rotated and this rotates the gear 46 together with the shaft 34 and the pulleys 32, 32. The direction of rotation is such that the pulleys 32., 32 drive the belts 3t), 3% with their upper runs moving toward the left. The meshing of the gears 48 and 46 is such as to permit the described adjustment of the conveyor frame 25 and of the said belts along the guideway 22 as previously described.

Normally fixed longitudinal guide.

A longitudinally extending guide means is provided adjacent the upwardly facing surface of the book receiving means for determining the path of movement of the books, particularly at the leading or discharge ends of the conveyor. When said upwardly facing surface is transversely inclined as shown and described, this guide means is a longitudinal guide parallel with the direction of movement and at the lower side toward which the books slide.

The aforesaid longitudinal parallel guide preferably comprises a longitudinal series of rollers 62, 62. The rollers 62, 62 are connected with an inclined longitudinal plate 64 for free rotative movement with respect thereto. The plate 64 is preferably carried by an inclined slide 66 which is adjustably connected with the saddle 16. The slide 66 together with the plate 64 and the rollers 62 may be adjusted in a direction parallel to the plane of the upper runs of the conveyor belts and it may be clamped in adjusted position by means of a screw 68. The transverse adjustment of the longitudinal guide adapts the conveyor mechanism for books of different widths. As will be hereinafter apparent, the back of each book, regardless of book Width, must be in a definite predetermined position when the book is discharged from the conveyor belts, and the adjustment of the longitudinal guide provides for this.

In operation, "books A delivered from the casing-in machine are picked up by an operative and depositedon the upper runs of the belts 30, 30, it being only necessary for the operative to make certain that the books are arranged in longitudinal sequence and that thebacks B of the books face generally transversely and toward the left, as viewed in Figs. 1 and 3. The operative may deposit the books in direct engagement with the guide, but if he does not so place the books they will slide transversely by gravity toward the right and into engagement with the guide. In any event the transverse inclination maintains the books in engagement with the guide which serves to bring the books into parallelism with the direction of longitudinal movement. The'said guide determines the path of movement of the books for proper engagement with the transfer means as hereinafter described. V

The longitudinal guide, whether including rollers such as 62, 62 or otherwise, is preferably positioned and shaped to extend between the covers C, C of the books on said book receivingmeans and to engage the'filler portions F of said books midway betweensaid covers; Thus the guide tends to press the fillers into the covers or cases, this being important as the books have been only recently cased in and are still soft.

In order that books of different thicknesses may properly engage the guide, the central planes of said books must always have the said position with respect to said guide. This position for a book of any .thickness within the capacityof the machine is attained by adjusting the entire book receiving means relatively to the guide and perpendicularly to the plane of its said upwardly facing surface. More specifically, such adjustment is efiected by adjusting the frame 25 and the conveyor belts along the guideway 22 as previously described, the belts being thus adjusted relatively to the rollers.

Preferably the plate 64 and the rollers 62, 62 carried thereby are longitudinally adjustable with respect to the slide 66, for a purpose to be set forth. The plate 64 is provided with a longitudinal slot 79, and bolts 72, 72 extend through the said slot for adjustably connecting the plate with the bracket.

Transfer mechanism As has been stated, the book transfer mechanism is adapted to be positioned adjacent the creasing and pressing machine and is located at the leading or book discharge end of the book receiving means. The said transfer means preferably includes a transfer device pivotally movable about a longitudinal axis. For supporting and moving the pivotally movable transfer device a longitudinal rock-shaft 74 is journaled in the bracket 13. Secured to the rockshaft 74 is an arm 76. The rockshaft serves by means of mechanism to be described to move the arm 76 between a lower position as shown in Fig. l and an upper position as shown in Fig. 3. Carried by the arm 76 is a book carrier having a book engaging face which is in or substantially in the plane of the upwardly facing surface of the book receiving means, or the plane of the upper runs of the belts 30, 30, when the said arm is in its lower position as shown in Figs. 1 and 5. Preferably the book carrier includes a plate 78 which is parallel with the last said plane when the arm is in its said lower position. The book carrier also includes longitudinal fingers 85 till which are attached to the plate 78 and which are so spaced transversely that some of them are positioned between the belts 3t 39 when the arm 76 is in its said lower position. The upper faces of the fingers constitute said book engaging face of the carrier. In order that the fingers 80, 80 may not frictionally resist movement of the books by the belt, their said upper faces are preferably slightly below the upper plane of the belts, but for convenience of description the said fingers will be referred to as having their upper faces in the plane of the belts.

As has been stated, the book receiving means is bodily adjustable for books of different thicknesses so that the rollers 62, 62 engage the book filler F midway between the book covers C, C. When said book receiving means 7 is so adjusted it is necessary to similarly adjust the book carrier so that the upper faces of the fingers 80, 80 will align with the faces of the belts. For this purpose, the plate 76 is attached to a slide 81 which is adjustable with respect to the arm 76 by means of a screw 82. The slide is clamped in adjusted position by means of a screw 83. The relationship of the slide 81 to the arm 76 is such that the slide is adjustable in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the belts when the arm is in its lower position as shown. The slide 81 and the plate 78 are so adjusted with respect to the arm 76 that the upper faces of the fingers 80, 81' are in the same plane as the upper faces of the belts 3t 30. This permits the successive books to overlie and engage the said fingers when the belts have moved them to the maximum extent toward the left.

For limiting the movement of each successive book toward the left a terminal stop 84 is provided which is fixed against longitudinal movement and which is in the path of book movement. Preferably the stop 34 is carried by and movable with the pivoted transfer device and normally projects beyond the upper face of the book carrier, as shown in Fig. 1. When the stop is carried by the transfer device, it is preferably retracted when the transfer device reaches its upper position, so as to then leave the book free for longitudinal movement by the book moving means of the machine.

The details of the stop 84 and of the supporting and controlling means therefor are best shown in Figs. 3, 4 and 8, the stop being in its retracted position. Carried by the arm 76 is a slide 85 which is movable transversely and horizontally when the arm is in its upper position, as shown in Fig. 3. The slide 85 is biased toward the right by springs 86, 86. Carried by the slide 85 is a second slide 87 which carries a pin which constitutes the said stop 34. The slide 87 has notches therein any one of which may receive a bolt 88. By means of the slide 87 the stop pin may be adjusted longitudinally in accordance with the length of the book, the bolt 88 being entered in any one of the notches in the slide 87. The stop pin may project through any one of a plurality of holes 89, 89 in the plate 78, as shown in Figs. 5 and 6.

Initially the stop pin 84 projects beyond the book carrier to limit longitudinal book movement. However, when the transfer device is moved to its upper position as shown in Figs. 3, 4 and 8, a lateral extension on the slide 85 engages a stationary vertical bar 90. This bar stops movement toward the right of the slide 85 and of the parts carried thereby including the pin 84, the result being that the pin is relatively retracted. When the transfer device moves to its lower position, the springs 86, 86 restore the stop to its projecting position.

Carried by an extension 92 on the rockshaft 74 is a plate 94 which carries a book support 96, the said book support preferably comprising a plurality of elements which are longitudinally spaced and longitudinally aligned. As shown, the elements 96, 96 are carried by fingers 98, 98 which are formed integrally with the plate 94. The book supporting elements engage the book filler F midway between the book covers C, C. The said book supporting elements 96, 96 are in alignment with the longitudinal bok guide, specifically the rollers 62, 62, when the transfer device is in its lower position. Thus as each book is moved by the belts longitudinally out of engagement with the rollers 62, 62 the said book moves into engagement with the elements 96, 96. The elements 96, 96 therefore prevent the book from sliding downward and toward the right along the book carrier when the said book passes beyond the rollers 62, 62. The elements 96, 6 not only prevent downward sliding movement of each book while the book carrier is in its lower position, but they also support the book in fixed relationship with the carrier as the transfer device is swung upwardly to its upper position.

It has been stated that the book carrier is adjustable for books of difi'erent thicknesses so that the face of said carrier will align with the upwardly facing surface of said book receiving means after adjustment of said means for book thickness. It has also been stated that, with the transfer device in its lower position, the book support comprising the elements 96, 96 is aligned with the normally fixed longitudinal book guide. It therefore follows that said adjustment of the book carrier enables books of different thickness to have their central planes in the same position with respect to said book support.

As has been stated, the longitudinal book guide, which includes the rollers 62, 62, is transversely adjustable to provide for books of different widths. When the book guide is transversely adjustable, the book supporting elements 96, 96 must be similarly adjustable so as to al ways align with the said guide. For this purpose the plate 94 is transversely adjustable on the rockshaft extension 92. The said plate is provided with an adjusting slot 169 and a clamping bolt 192 extends through the slot to hold the plate in adjusted position. The plate 94 is always adjusted in accordance with the adjustment of the slide 66 so that the book filler engaging faces of the rollers 62, 62 and the book filler engaging faces of the elements 96, 96 are always in alignment.

It will be apparent that the book supporting elements 96, 96, while adjustable transversely in accordance with the transverse adjustment of the rollers 62, 62, are not otherwise adjustable. The plate 78 and the fingers Sf) are adjusted as stated in accordance with the adjustment of the belts for books of different thicknesses, but this adjustment is made relatively to the supporting elements 96, 96 so that the said elements always engage the fillers F of the books midway between the covers C, C thereof.

It is essential that each book be beyond the last roller 62 when its motion is stopped by the stop 34, as the last roller would otherwise engage the lower book cover and interfere with the movement of the book by the transfer device. However, it is desirable for the last roller 62 to remain in engagement with the book until it is engaged as fully as possible by the book supporting elements 96, 96. Therefore, the plate 64 and the rollers 62, 62 are adjustable longitudinally, as previously described, in general accordance with the length of the books. The adjustment is such as to enable the rollers 62, 62 and particularly the last roller to support each book to the maximum extent, without however causing the said last roller to interfere with the movement of the book by the transfer device.

To more definitely insure movement of each book into engagement with the stop 84, at least one presser wheel 1114 is provided for engaging each book to press it firmly against the belts. Referring particularly to Fig. 1, it will be observed that the wheel 194 is rotatably mounted on a rod 106 carried by a block 103, the said rod being adjustable lengthwise with respect to the block. The block 108 is pivotally connected with an arm 11!) carried by a block '112. The said block 112 is longitudinally adjustable along a guideway in a longitudinal bar 114 secured to the conveyor frame 25. The block 112 and all of the parts carried thereby can be locked in longitudinally adjusted position by a clamping screw 116. A spring 118 connected with the block 108 and with the arm 110 serves to bias the block 1198 and the parts carried thereby, including the wheel 104, for movement in the clockwise direction. Such movement is limited by an adjustable stop 129. It will be obvious that the wheel 104 has a wide range of adjustments for books of diiferent thicknesses and different widths and different lengths and to meet operating conditions.

Preferably a second presser wheel 122 is provided which is shown as having a shape somewhat different from that of the wheel 1134. Themounting for the wheel 122 may be exactly the same as that for the wheel 104 and repetition of the description is unnecessary. The said wheel 122 is carried by an adjustable block 123 which is similar to the block 112 for the wheel 104. The wheel 122 is shown as being in longitudinal alignment with the wheel 104 and in close proximity thereto. However, the two wheels may be placed in a wide variety of relationships.

After a book engages the stop 84 and thus reaches its limit of longitudinal movement, the rockshaft 74 and all parts carried thereby, including the arm 76 together with the book carrier 78, 30 and the book supports 96, 96, are moved in the clockwise direction from the positions shown in Fig. l to the positions shown in Fig. 3, thus moving the book from the inclined position shown in Fig. 1 to the vertical position shown in Fig. 3. It will be understood that when the parts are so moved the book has passed beyond the last roller 62 and this roller cannot interfere with book movement. During movement of the book from the inclined position to the vertical position, the book supports 96, 96 support the book and prevent it from sliding downwardly. When the book reaches the vertical position as shown in Fig. 3, it engages a vertical abutment 124 in normally fixed position on the main machine, the book thus being retained between the said abutment 124 and the said carrier fingers 8t), 81). The abutment 124 is adjustable in accordance with the thickness of the book, being so' adjusted in accordance with 8 the adjustment of the book guides 12, 12. The positions of the carrier fingers 80, have also been adjusted, as

previously described, in accordance with the thickness of.

the book, the result being'that the central plane of the book coincides with the central plane of the main machine. Preferably the abutment 124 comprises a longitudinal series of spaced vertical bars "as shown in Fig. 2. The said vertical bars are carried by a bracket 125 on a portion of the main machine which is adjustable for book thickness. 7

When the book first reaches an upright positi0n,;it is located as indicated by full lines in Fig. 3, being supported on the book supports 96, 96 which have moved in unison with the carrier fingers 80, 80. The upper portion or back B of the book is below the level of the guides 12, 12 of the machine and below the level of the carrier jaws 8, 8 of the machine. The book must be lifted from the full line position shown in Fig. 3 to the dotted line position shown in the same figure. This is necessary partly to disengage the book from the supporting elements 96, 96 so that the said elements may return to the inclined position shown in Fig. l and partly to properly enter the book between the carrier jaws 8, S and the guides 12, 12.

The book lifting mechanism includes a slide 126 guided for vertical movement on the bracket 13, this slide being reciprocated vertically in properly timed relationship with the movement of the transfer device which moves the books to vertical positions. Connected with the slide 126 is a bracket 123 which carries a plurality of book lifting elements 131). The said elements 131 are so spaced longitudinally and so positioned that they are vertically movable between the book supporting elements 96, 96, this being shown in Fig. 8. The bracket 128 has projections which extend between the vertical bars 124, 124 of the book abutment and which carry the elements 130, 130, as shown in Fig. 2. As soon as the book reaches the full line position shown in Fig. 3, the slide 126 moves upwardly to cause the elements 130, 130 to move upwardly to thus raise the book from the full line position to the dotted line position. As soon as the'book reaches the said dotted line position, it is engaged by the carrier jaws 8, 8 of the machine and its longitudinal movement through the machine is started. i

The bracket 128 engages a vertical guideway 132 on the slide 126 and the said bracket is vertically adjustable along the guideway, being held in adjusted position by means of a clamping belt 134. The last said adjustment is necessary to accommodate books of different widths.

As soon as the book has been moved upwardly and has been engaged by the carrier jaws 8, 8, the rockshaft 74 and the transfer device carried thereby are moved in the opposite direction so that they return from the positions shown in Fig. 3 to the positions shown in Fig. l, the transfer device then being ready to receive the next following book. At or about the same time the slide 126 and the parts carried thereby move downwardly so as to be ready for the next following book.

For moving the arm 76 and the rockshaf-t 74 and the various parts connected therewith, there is provided a bellcrank 136 mounted for movement about a fixed axis at 138, as shown in Fig. 8. A spring 140 biases the bat crank for movement in the counterclockwise direction. The bell crank 136 is operated by means of a link 142 pivotally connected with the generally upright arm of the bell crank and extending toward the left for connection with a cam on a transverse shaft of the main machine, which cam is not shown. The generally horizontal arm of the bell crank 136 is connected by means of a link 144. with a stud 146 on the arm 76. When the link 142 is tensioned, the bell crank 136 is moved in the clockwise direction in opposition to the spring 140 to move the various parts from the Fig. 1 positions to the Fig. 3 positions. When the tension in the link 142 is released, the bell crank 136 is moved in the counterclockwise direction by the spring 140 to move the various parts from the Fig. 3 position to the Fig. 1 position. 1

Preferably the generally horizontal arm of the bell crank 136 carries a spring-pressed detent 14% which is biased for entry into notches in a sector plate 156. The detent by reason of its engagement with the notches tends to hold the various parts either in the Fig. 1 position or in the Fig. 3 position during the periods of dwell between the successive movements.

The slide 126 is moved vertically by means of a bell crank 152 similar to the bell crank 136 and movable about the same axis 138. A spring 154 biases the bell crank 152 for movement in the counterclockwise direction. The bell crank is operated by means of a link 1S6 pivotally connected with the generally upright arm of the bell crank and extending toward the left for connection with a second cam on the said transverse shaft of the main machine, which cam is not shown. The generally horizontal arm of the bell crank 152 is connected by means of a link 158 with the slide 126. When the link 156 is tensioned, the bell crank 152 is moved in the clockwise direction in opposition to the spring 154 to move the slide 126 downwardly. When the tension in the link 156 is released, the bell crank 152 is moved in the counterclockwise direction by the spring 154 to move the slide 126 upwardly.

The shape and timing of the cam on the main machine for the link 142 are such that the arm 76 and the transfer device are oscillated during each machine cycle so that the books are brought successively into upright positions in proper timed relation with the movements of the carrier jaws 8, 8. Similarly the shape and timing of the cam on the main machine for the link 3156 are such that the slide 126 and the lifting elements 13% 138 are reciprocated during each cycle of the machine and are moved upwardly in proper timed relation with the arrival of the books in vertical position. As soon as each book reaches the full line position shown in Fig. 3, it is engaged by the elements 130, 130 and lifted to the dotted line position shown in Fig. 3, the book then being engaged by the carrier jaws 8, 8 and moved into the machine.

Stops for longitudinal [200k movements In order to assure proper timing of the books as they move successively to their final longitudinal positions in engagement with the stop 84, a stop mechanism is provided as shown in Figs. and 6. Carried by the conveyor frame 25 is a rockshaft 169 which is parallel with the pulley shaft 34. Secured to the said rockshaft is an arm 162 to which is connected a spring 164 for biasing the shaft for movement in the clockwise direction, the said movement being limited by an adjustable stop screw 166. Also connected with the shaft 16b is at least one leaf spring 168 which extends toward the right and which carries a stop 170. Preferably there are two springs 168, 168 and two stops 176, 176, these being spaced transversely. A relatively stiff strip 171 is mounted for movement with each spring 163. The spring serves to bias the stop 17s upwardly and the strip 171 limits upward movement. When the shaft has been moved in the counterclockwise direction to the position shown in Fig. 6, the two stops 179 project between two of the belts 30, 38 and beyond the faces of the belts so as to engage a book A to stop movement thereof. Also connected with the rockshaft 164) is an arm 172 which extends toward the left. When the arm 76 and the plate 78 are in their lower positions as shown in Fig. 1, a projection 174 on the plate '78 engages the arm 172 to move the rockshaft 160 in the counterclockwise direction in opposition to the spring 164. This causes the stops 170, 170 to move upwardly into the path of book movement so as to be adapted to prevent the next following book A from moving beyond the position shown at the right in Fig. 6. The provision of two transversely spaced stops 170, 170 insures the engagement of at least one of them with a book, regardless of book width.

Carried by the conveyor frame 25 is a second rockshaft 176 which is also parallel with the pulley shaft 34. Secured to the said rockshaft is an arm 178 to which is connected a spring 186 for biasing the shaft for movement in the counterclockwise direction, the said move ment being limited by an adjustable stop screw 182. Also connected with the shaft 176 is at least one leaf spring 184 which extends toward the right and which carries a stop 186. Preferably there are two leaf springs 184, 184 and two stops 186, 186, these being spaced transversely. A relatively stiff strip 187 is mounted for movement with each spring 134. The spring serves to bias the stop 136 upwardly and the strip 187 limits upward movement. When the shaft has been moved in the clockwise direction to the position shown in Fig. 6, the two stops 186, 186 are below the faces of the belts. However, when the shaft 176 is moved in the counterclockwise direction from the position shown, the stops 186, 186 are moved upwardly between two of the belts 3L, 3%) so as to stop book movement. The provision of two transversely spaced stops 186, 186 insures the engagement of at least one of them with a book, regardless of book width.

An arm 188 is connected with the rockshaft and extends toward the left. An arm 1% is connected with the rockshaft 176 and extends toward the right, being engaged at the top thereof by the said arm 18% on the rockshaft 164 By reason of the engagement of the arms 188 and 1%, the rockshaft 176 is mo 'ed in the clockwise direction when the shaft 169 is moved in the counterclockwise direction. The shaft 176 is moved in the counterclockwise direction when the shaft 16%) is moved in the clockwise direction. The result is that the stops 136, 186 are in their lower positions when the stops 170, 174) are in their upper positions, this being hereinafter referred to as the primary relationship. The stops 36, 186 are in their upper positions when the stops 170, 176 are in their lower positions, this being hereinafter referred to as the secondary relationship. The stops 186, 186 are at the right of the projecting right ends of the carrier fingers 89, 8 3 and the longitudinal spacing between the stops 136, 186 and the stops 170, is less than the length of the smallest book within the capacity of the feeding mechanism.

If successive books are placed on the conveyor belts 3s), 39 so as to be relatively closely spaced longitudinally but without being in contact, the action of the stop mechanism is as follows. Assuming that one book A has been moved into engagement with the book carrier and the stop 34, the stops 17% are in their upper positions to prevent the next following book A from immediately moving beyond the position shown in Pig. 6. However, as soon as the book A is moved upwardly by the carrier, the stops 17% are moved downwardly and the stops 186 are moved upwardly, the book A bein then permitted to move from the position shown in Fig. 6 to a position in engagement with the stops 186. Inasmuch as the stops 186 are at the right of the projecting ends of the carrier fingers 84 8% a book the last said position will not interfere with the downward or return movement of the fingers 853. As soon as the carrier fingers 86 are returned to their lowermost position as shown in Fig. 6, the stops 135 are moved downwardly to release the next following book and to permit it to move onto the carrier, such movement being limited by the stop 84. As the stops 186 move downwardly, the stops 1712* move upwardly to engage and stop the second following book.

The movements of the movable stops are effected in proper timed relationship to the before-mentioned speed of the belts 3!), 3% The timing is such that any that is partly beyond the first stop 17% at the beginning of the primary stop relationship is moved by the belt means toward the said receiving position and at least partly beyond the second stop 186 prior to the beginning of the secondary stop relationship.

means The movements of the transfer device are also effected in proper timed relationship to the speed of the belts 30, 30. As has been stated, the stops 179 move upwardly, into book engaging positions simultaneously with the arrival of the transfer device at its lower book receiving station. The transfer device remains in its last said position long enough to enable any book that has already passed the stops 170 to. be moved by the belts into complete engagement with the said transfer device.

If the books are more widely spaced longitudinally, the second book A may not arrive at the stops 170 until the book carrier and the book A have started to move upwardly. The stops 170. will then be in their lower positions and the stops 186 will be in their upper positions, the stops being in their secondary relationship. Under such a condition the second book A moves past the stops 1'76 and is engaged by the stops 185 which prevent further movement of the book until the carrier fingers 8t havereturned to their lowermost positions for receiving the said book.

It frequently happens that, while one book A is held by the stops 17% as shown or is later held by the stops 186, a third book (not shown) will be moved into tight endwise contact with the said book A. Assuming that the stops are in their secondary relationship and that the book A is held by the stops 186, it will be evident that both books will start to move when the stops 186 are lowered, as said stops 186 and 17d tend to move toward their primary relationship. But the spacing between the stops 186 and the stops 171i is less than the book length and the said following contacting book will be engaged and held by the stops 170. The stops 171i tend to move upwardly as soon as the stops 186 move downwardly, but the springs 168 yield so that the said stops do not actually move upwardly until the book A has passed beyond them and the next following book is in position to be engaged.

Although the two books may be in contact when the book A is held by the stops 186, they separate slightly when the said book A is released. The presser wheels 104 and 122, and more particularly the latter, firmly press the leading book A against the belts 3t 30. Thus the leading book A starts very quickly as soon as released, but the next following book, not being engaged by the wheels 1% and 122, has only gravity pressure against the belts. By reason of inertia the starting of the said following book is slightly retarded with the result that there is a small gap between the two books, this gap facilitating the engagement of the stops 179 with the said following book.

it may sometimes happen that a single book may move past both stops and onto the book carrier of the transfer device without being engaged by either of said stops. The book may arrive at the stops 170 just before the said stops are raised. When this happens, the book will not be held by the said stops 17%), and by the time that the book reaches the stops 186 the said stops will have been lowered so that the book moves directly onto the carrier device without any interruption of motion.

In general the spacing and the timing of the stops 170 and 136 are such that, under any possible conditions of book spacing, only one book at a time can move beyond the second stops 186.

In setting up the machine for a book of a given length, the several parts are adjusted so that the lengthwise center of the book is always approximately in a predetermined position. By way of example, it may be assumed that the machine is to be set up for a longer book A as shown by dotted lines in Fig. 6. The stop 84 is adjusted half of the increased book length, the new position being toward the left to an extent approximately equal to oneindicated at 54- The switch 192 and the arm 194 are adjusted toward the right to an extentapproximately equal to one-half of the increased book length, the new position of the arm 194 being indicated at 194 As has 12 been stated, the switch 192 and the arm 194 are 1ongitudinally adjustable in unison with the presser wheel 122. Thus the said presser wheel is always in proper relationship with the switch arm 194 and is in position to clear the longer book A as the said book is swung upwardly.

Safety control Preferably a safety control is provided for stopping the main machine and for therefore stopping all parts of the feed mechanism other than the belts, in the event of failure of a book to move into proper engagement wlth the transfer device.

As shown in Figs. 5 and 6, a microswitch 192 is provided having an arm 194 which projects between two of the belts 3d. 359 and into the path of book movement. The switch is so located that the arm 194 is near the right end of a properly engaged book A but is slightly spaced from the said right end. The arm 194 is therefore depressed by any book that is in whole or in part at the right of the properly engaged position. The switch 192 is normally closed but is opened when the arm 194 is depressed by abook. The switch 192 is opened as each book passes over the arm 194, but as hereinafter pointed out this opening is normally without significance.

The switch 192 and its arm 194 are preferably adjustable longitudinally. Preferably and as shown, the switch is carried by a plate secured to the lower face of the block 123 which carries the presser wheel 122. Thus the switch is adjustable longitudinally in accordance with 1ongitudinal adjustments of the said wheel.

The switch 192 is connected in the circuit for a motor 196, as shown in Fig. 7, which operates the main machine. The said Fig. 7 is entirely schematic and does not include motor control relays and the like. A cam 198 is provided on a transverse shaft 199 of the main machine, the said cam and shaft making one rotation for each cycle of the machine and of the feed mechanism. The shaft 199 may be the shaftof the machine that carries the cams for operating the links 142 and 156. A microswitch 200 is provided having an operating roller 202 which is engaged by the cam 198. The switch 200 is normally closed, but is opened when the roller 202 is moved by the cam. The timing is such that the switch 200 is momentarily opened during each cycle at or about the time of, or immediately before, movement of the transfer device out of its lower book engaging position, that is, the switch 299 is opened immediately after a book such as A has moved past the arm 194 to cause the reclosing of the switch 192.

The switches 192 and 2% are connected in parallel in the circuit of the motor 196 and the motor continues to operate so long as either switch is closed. When the book A is in proper position and in engagement with the stop 84, as shown in Figs. 6 and 7, the book is beyond the arm 194 and the switch 192 is closed after having been opened by the movement of the book. 196 therefore continues to operate notwithstanding the momentary opening of the switch 200 which immediately follows. However, if for any reason the book has failed to move beyond the arm 194, the switch 192 is held open and the said momentary opening of the switch 200 serves to stop the motor with resultant stopping of the machine and of the feed mechanism.

Summary of operation 22 so that the rollers 62, 62 of the longitudinal guide,

will engage the book filler midway between. the covers.

.'The book. carrier of the transfer device is adjusted by means of the slide 81 in accordance with the said adjust- The motor 13 ment of the book receiving means so that the book supporting elements 96, 6 will engage the book filler midway between the covers. When the several parts have been adjusted, the abutment 48 and the fingers 80 of the book carrier are symmetrically disposed with respect to the book supporting elements 96, 96.

b. For book width, the book supports 96, 96 are adjusted transversely so that they will support the books at the proper initial height when the books are first moved to vertical positions. The longitudinal guide including the rollers 62, 62 is adjusted transversely in accordance with the adjustment of the book supports 96, 96 so that the said rollers align with the said supports when the latter are in their lower positions. The book lifting elements 13%, 139 are adjusted vertically on the slide 126 so as to be in position to properly engage and lift the books.

c. For book length, the stop 84 is adjusted longitudinally so that the lengthwise center of each book is approximately in a predetermined position when the book is engaged with the stop as shown in Fig. 6. The presser Wheel 122 and the switch 192 are longitudinally adjusted so that the said wheel and the arm 194 of the switch are in proper relation to the trailing edge of the book. The longitudinal guide including the rollers 62, 62 is adjusted longitudinally so that the last roller supports each book to the maximum extent, but nevertheless provides clearance for the said book as it is swung upwardly.

With the creasing and pressing machine and also the feed mechanism in operation, the operative takes freshly cased-in books from a casing-in machine and delivers them successively to the transversely inclined belts 30, 36. It is not necessary for the operative to carefully place the books, the only requisites being that they be in longitudinal sequence and that they be placed with their backs facing generally toward the left and upwardly. The books will slide transversely and downwardly along the belts and will be moved into aligned longitudinal positions by the rollers 62, 62.

The movable stops 170 and 136 control the longitudinal movements of the books and cause them to be delivered individually to the pivoted transfer device.

The transfer device engages each successively engaged book and swings it to a vertical position. Then the lifting mechanism lifts each successive book to the receiving position of the machine. At the last said position the carrier jaws of the machine engage each successive book and moves it into the machine for creasing and pressing.

Preferably the creasing and pressing machine and the feeding mechanism therefor are timed to operate at a very slightly faster rate than the casing-in machine. This assures the prompt creasing and pressing of each book after the casing-in operation, and avoids any possible accumulation of books that have been cased-in but not creased and pressed.

The invention claimed is:

1. In a book feeding mechanism, the combination of belt means having a longitudinally movable portion for the successive reception of books arranged in longitudinal sequence winch books are moved longitudinally by the said belt means to a receiving position, a cyclically operable transfer device for successively engaging books moved by the belt means to the said receiving position which transfer device has a book engaging position and a second position to which engaged books are moved, first and second stops adjacent the path of movement of the books to the said receiving position for engaging the books to stop movement thereof by the said belt means which stops are spaced longitudinally by a distance less than the longitudinal dimension of the books, and mechanism operable in timed relation with the cyclical operation of the transfer device for moving the two stops alternately into and out of the path of book movement, the said mechanism serving to move the first stop into the path of book movement and to move the second stop out-of the said path when the transfer device is in its said book engaging position and the said mechanism serving to move the second stop into the path of book movement and to move the first stop out of the said path when the transfer device is out of its said book engaging position.

2. In a book feeding mechanism, the combination of belt means having a longitudinally movable portion for the successive reception of books arranged in longitudinal sequence which books are moved longitudinally by the said belt means to a receiving position, a cyclically operable transfer device for successively engaging books moved by the belt means to the said receiving position which transfer device has a book engaging position and a second position to which engaged books are moved, first and second stops adjacent the pathof movement of the books to the said receiving position for engaging the books to stop movement thereof by the said belt means which stops are spaced longitudinally by a distance less than the longitudinal dimension of the books, mech anism operabie in timed relation with the cyclical operation of the transfer device for moving the two stops alternately into and out of the path of book movement, the said mechanism serving to move the first stop into the path of book movement and to move the second stop out of the said path when the transfer device is in its said book engaging position and the said mechanism serving to move the second stop into the path of book movement and to move the first stop out of the said path when the transfer device is out of its said book engaging position, and means for moving the said belt means at a speed such that any book that is partly beyond the first stop when the transfer means approaches its book engaging position is moved by the said belt means tothe book engaging position of the transfer device prior to movement of the said device out of its last said position.

3. In a book feeding mechanism, the combination of belt means having a longitudinally movable portion for the successive reception of books arranged in longitudinal sequence which books are moved longitudinally by the said belt means to a receiving position, a cyclically operable transfer device for successively engaging books moved by the belt means to the said receiving position'which transfer device has a book engaging position and a second position to which engaged books are moved, two longitudinally spaced shafts extending transversely of the direction of movement of the said belt means which shafts are mounted for oscillation about their own axes, two longitudinally extending arms carried respectively by the said shafts and movable therewith, first and second stops carried respectively by the said arms and movable into and out of the path of movement of the books to the said receiving position when the shafts and the arms are oscillated, the said stops being longitudinally spaced by a distance less than the longitudinal dimension of the books, and mechanism operable in unison with cyclical operation of the said transfer device for oscillating the shafts, the said mechanism serving to move the first stop into the path of book movement and to move the second stop out of the said path when the transfer device is in its said book engaging position and the said mechanism serving to move the second stop into the path of book movement and to move the first stop out of the said path when the transfer device is out of its said book engaging position.

4. A book feeding mechanism as set forth in claim 3, wherein the arm carrying the first stop is a spring yieldingly supporting the stop and biasing it toward its position in the path of book movement, and wherein a relatively stiff bar is secured in fixed relationship to the corresponding shaft which bar is adjacent the spring and serves to limit the movement of the stop by the spring.

5. In a book feeding mechanism, the combination of a conveyor including at least one longitudinal endless belt having its upper run in an upwardly facing plane and 7 V a movable longitudinally which upper run is adapted for the successive reception of books arranged in longitudinal sequence and with their backs all facing in the same direction and for the delivery of the said books to a receiving position, a transfer device adjacent the leading end of the said upper run of the belt for successively engaging books moved by the conveyor to the said receiving position which, transfer device is pivotally movable about a longitudinal axis, means for cyclically oscillating the transfer device to transfer each successively engaged book from its position of initial engagement with the transfer device to a vertical position, first and second stops adjacent the path of movement of the books to the said receiving position which stops are spaced longitudinally by a distance less than the longitudinal dimension of the books, and mechanism operable in timed relation with the cyclical operation of the transfer device for moving the two stops alternately into and out of the path of book movement, the said mechanism serving to move the first stop into the path of book movement and to move the second stop out of the said path when the transfer device is in its said book engaging position and the said mechanism serving to move the second stop into the path of book movement and to move the first stop out of the said path when the transfer device is out of its said book engaging position.

6. A book feeding mechanism as set forth in claim 5, wherein spring means is provided for moving the first stop into the path of book movement and for moving the second stop out of the said path, and whereinrmeans is provided on the transfer device and operable when the device is moved to its book engaging position for moving the first and second stops respectively out and into the path of book movement in opposition to the said spring means.

7. In a book feeding mechanism, the combination of a conveyor mechanism including a plurality of transversely spaced longitudinal endless belts having their upper runs upwardly facing and in the same plane, the said upper runs of the belts being adapted for the successive reception of books arranged in longitudinal sequence with their backs all facing in the same direction, means connected with the conveyor belts for effecting uniform movement thereof to cause the upper runs thereof to move'the books longitudinally, a transfer device located adjacent the leading ends of the said conveyor belts and pivotally movable about a longitudinal axis between lower and upper positions, the said transfer device including a book carrier having longitudinal fingers which are transversely spaced in conformity with the spacing of the belts and which with thedevice in its lower position are between the said belts with their upper faces in the said plane of the upper runs of the belts for successively engaging books moved by the said belts, means for cyclically oscillating the transfer device between the said lower and upper positions to transfer each successively engaged book from its position of initial engagement with the carrier fingers to a vertical position, first and second stops movable between two of the said belts into and out of the path of book movement, the second stop being spaced in the trailing direction from the ends of the carrier fingers and the two stops being spaced longitudinally from each other a by a distance less than the longitudinal dimension of the books, and mechanism operable in timed relation with the operation of the transfer device for moving the two stops alternately into and out of the path of book move- 7 ment, the said mechanism serving to move the first step conveyor including at least one endlessbelt having its upper run in an upwardly facing plane, the said upper run of the belt being adapted for the successive reception of books arranged in longitudinal sequence with their backs all facing in the same direction, means connected with the conveyor belt for effecting movement to cause the upper run thereof to move the books longitudinally, a transfer device located adjacent the leading end of the said conveyor belt and pivotally movable about a longitudinal axis between lower and upper positions, the said transfer, device including a book carrier having an upper face which in the said lower position aligns with the said plane of the upper run of the belt for successively engaging books moved by the said belt, a transversely movable slide carried by the transfer device and biased for movement toward the upper face of the carrier and to a normal position, a second slide on the transversely movable slide and longitudinally adjustable relatively thereto, a stop carried by the last said slide and projecting beyond the said upperface of the carrier when the first said slide is in its normal position, the said stop being normally in the path of movement of the books from the conveyor belt and onto the carrier and serving to locate each successively engaged book in a predetermined position with respect to the carrier, means for cyclically oscillating the transfer device between the said lower and upper positions to transfer each successively engaged book from its position of initial engagement with the transfer device to a vertical position, and means operable when the transfer device reaches its said upper position for relatively moving both slides in opposition to the bias of the first slide so as to relatively retract the stop and thus 7 permit movement of each book from the last said position in the same longitudinal direction in which it was moved by the belt.

9. In a book feeding mechanism, the combination of a book receiving means having an upwardly facing surface and adapted for the successive reception of books arranged in longitudinal sequence and with their backs all facing toward one side of said means which means includes a conveyor for moving said books longitudinally, a normally fixed longitudinal guide near the opposite side of said receiving means and positioned and shaped to extend between the covers of the books on said means and to engage the fillers thereof for determining the path of book movement, a transfer device adjacent the leading end of said receiving means and pivotally movable between lower and upper positions about a longitudinal axis at said opposite side of said means, said transfer device including a main arm and a book carrier thereon having a book engaging face which in the said lower position of the device aligns with said upwardly facing surface of said receiving means for successively engaging books discharged from said means and vthe said transfer device also including a book support in a normally fixed position on the arm adjacent the carrier and in longitudinal register with said normally fixed guide when said transfer device is in its lower position, said support being positioned and shaped to extend between the covers of the books and to engage the fillers thereof so as to prevent downward movement of each successive book relatively to the carrier when the said carrier is moved upwardly,

means for cyclically oscillating the transfer device between said lower and upper positions to transfer each successively engaged book from its position of initial engagesupport and in the'direction perpendicular to the plane of said book engaging face so that the last said face in the lower position of the carrier aligns with the upwardly 17 facing surface of the book receiving means after the stated adjustment of the latter so that books of different thickneses have their central planes in the same position with respect to said book support.

10. A book feeding mechanism as set forth in claim 9, wherein the conveyor of the book receiving means includes at least one longitudinal endless belt so positioned that the upper face of the upper run thereof constitutes said upwardly facing surface of said book receiving means.

ll. In a book feeding mechanism, the combination of a book receiving means having an upwardly facing surface and adapted for the successive reception of books arranged in longitudinal sequence and with their backs all facing toward one side of said means which means includes a conveyor for moving said books longitudinally, a normally fixed longitudinal guide near the opposite side of said receiving means and positioned and shaped to extend between the covers of the books on said means and to engage the fillers thereof for determining the path of book movement, a transfer device adjacent the leading end of said receiving means and pivotally movable between lower and upper positions about a longitudinal uis at said opposite side of said means, said transfer device including a main arm and a book carrier thereon having a book engaging face which in the said lower position of the device aligns with said upwardly facing surface of said receiving means for successively engaging books discharged from said means and the said transfer device also including a book support in a normally fixed position on the arm adjacent the carrier and in longitudinal register with said normally fixed guide when said transfer device is in its lower position, said support being positioned and shaped to extend between the covers'of the books and to engagethe fillers thereof so as to prevent downward movement of each successive book relatively to the carrier when the said carrier is moved upwardly, a normally fixed vertical abutment engageable by each book when moved to a vertical position by said ransfer device, means for cyclically oscillating the transfer device between said lower and upper positions to transfer each successively engaged book from its position of initial engagement with the book carrier to a vertical position, means enabling said book receiving means in its entirety to be adjusted relatively to the said normally fixed guide and perpendicularly to the plane of said upwardly facing surface so that books of different thicknesses have their central planes in the same position with respect to said guide, means enabling the said book carrier to be adjusted relatively to said transfer device arm and said book support and in the direction perpendicular to the plane of said book engaging face so that the last said face in the lower position of the carrier aligns with the upwardly facing surface of the book receiving means after the stated adjustment of the latter so that books of different thicknesses have their central planes in the same position with respect to said book support, and means enabling the vertical abutment to be transversely adjusted so that with the transfer device in its upper position the said abutment and the said carrier of the transfer device are symmetrically disposed with respect to the book support of the transfer device with the result that said carrier and said support are engageable with books of diiferent thicknesses.

12. In a book feeding mechanism, the combination of a supporting framework, a conveyor including at least one longitudinal endless belt having its upper run in an upwardly facing plane and movable longitudinally which upper run is adapted for the successive reception of books arranged in longitudinal sequence, a bracket for supporting the conveyor, means for connecting the bracket with the framework for rectilinear adjustment relatively thereto in a direction perpendicular to the said upwardly facing plane so as to thereby adjust the conveyor in the said perpendicular direction, a longitudinal book guide carried by the framework and fixed against movement in the said 18 perpendicular direction which. guide is near one side of the conveyor and parallel with the direction ofbelt movement, a transfer device adjacent the leading end of i the belt and pivotally movable between lower and upper positions about a longitudinal axis adjacent the last said side of the conveyor, the said transfer device including a book carrier having an upper face which in the said lower position aligns with the said plane of the upper run of the belt for successively engaging books discharged therefrom and the said transfer device also including a book support adjacent the carrier and serving to prevent downward movement of each successive book relatively to the carrier when the said carrier is moved upwardly, means for cyclically oscillating the transfer device between the said lower and upper positions to transfer each suc-essively engaged book from its position of initial engagement with the book carrier to a vertical position, and means enabling the said book carrier to be adjusted relatively to the said book support and perpendicularly to the said upper face of the said carrier so that the said upper face of the carrier aligns with the said plane of thead: justable conveyor when the said transfer device is in its lower position.

13. In a book feeding mechanism, the combination of a supporting framework, a conveyor carried by the framework and including at least one longitudinal end less belt having its upper run in an upwardly facing plane and movable longitudinally which upper run is adapted for the successive reception of books arranged in longitudinal sequence, a longitudinal book guide near one side of the conveyor and parallel with the direction of belt movement, a bracket for supporting the guide, means enabling the bracket to be adjusted relatively to the framework for the adjustment of the guide transversely and in parallelism with the said conveyor plane to accommodate books of different widths, a transfer device adjacent the leading end of the belt and pivotally movable between lower and upper positions about a longitudinal axis adjacent the last said side of the conveyor, the said transfer device including a book carrier having an upper face which in the said lower position aligns with the said plane of the upper run of the belt for successively engaging books discharged therefrom and the said trans-- fer device also including a book support adjacent the carrier and serving to prevent downward movement of each successive book relatively to the carrier when'the said carrier is moved upwardly, means for cyclically oscillating the transfer device between the said lower and upper positions to transfer each successively engaged book from its position of initial engagement with the t book carrier to a vertical position, and means enabling the said book support to be adjusted transversely relatively to the book carrier and in parallelism with the said upper face thereof so as to longitudinally align with the adjustable longitudinal guide when the said transfer device is in its lower position.

14. In a book feeding mechanism, the combination of a conveyor including at least one longitudinal endless belt having its upper run in an upwardly facing plane and movable longitudinally which upper run is adapted for the successive reception of books arranged in longi: tudinal sequence and with their backs all facing toward one side of the conveyor, a transfer device adjacent the leading end of the belt and pivotally movable between lower and upper positions about a longitudinal axis at the opposite side'of the conveyor, the said transfer device including a book carrier having an upper face which in the said lower position aligns with the said plane of the upper run of the belt for successively engaging books discharged therefrom and the said transfer device also including a book support adjacent the carrier and serving to prevent downward movement of each successive j book relatively to the carrier when the said carrier is moved upwardly, a stop engageable by books movable by the belt onto the transfer device and serving to limit" 'movement as the books are discharged to the transfer device, the said guide being in longitudinal alignment with the said book support when the said transfer device is in itslower position, and means enabling the said longitudinal guide to be adjusted longitudinally relatively to the conveyor and relatively to the transfer device so as to accommodate books of dilferent lengths.

15. In a book feeding mechanism, the combination of a supporting framework, a conveyor carried by the framework and including at least one longitudinal endless belt having its upper run in an upwardly facing plane and movable longitudinally which upper run is adapted for thesuccessive reception of books arranged in longitudinal sequence, a longitudinal book guide near one side of the conveyor and parallel with the direction of beltmovement, a bracket for supporting the guide, means enabling the bracket to be adjusted relatively to the framework for the adjustment of the guide transversely and in parallelism with the said conveyor plane to accommodate books of difierent'widths, means enabling the guide to be adjusted longitudinally relatively to the bracket to accommodate books of different lengths, a transfer device adjacent the leading end of the belt and pivotally movable between lower and upper positions about a longitudinal axis adjacent the last said side of the conveyor, the said transfer device including a book carrier having an upper face which in the said lower position aligns with the said plane of the upper run of the belt for successively engaging books discharged therefrom and the said transfer device also including a book support adjacent the carrier and serving to prevent downward movement of each successive book relatively to the carrier when the said carrier is moved upwardly, means for cyclically oscillating the transfer device between the said lower and upper positions to transfer each successively engaged book from its position of initial engagement with the book carrier to a-vertical position, and means enabling the said book support to be adjusted transversely relatively to the book carrier and in parallelism with the said upper face thereof so as to longitudinally align with the adjustable longitudinal guide when the said'transfer device is in its lower position.

16. In a book feeding mechanism, the combination of a conveyor including at least one longitudinal endless belt having its upper run in an upwardly facing plane and movable longitudinally which upperirun is adapted for the successive'reception of books arranged in longitudinal sequence and with their backs all facing in the same direction, a longitudinal guide near one side of the conveyor and adjacent the upwardly facing plane of the belt which guide is parallel with the direction of belt movement and is engageable with the hooks to determine the path of longitudinal book movement, a transfer device adjacent the leading and of the said upper run of the' belt and pivotally movable about a longitudinal axis between lower and upper positions which axis is at the last said side of the conveyor, the said transfer device. including a book carrier having an upper face which in the said lower position aligns with the said plane, of the upper run of the belt for successively engaging books discharged therefrom and the said transferdevice also including a book support adjacent the carrierand serving to prevent downward movement of each successive book relatively to the carrier when the said carrier is moved upwardly,,means for cyclically oscillating the transfer device between the 20 said lower and upper positions to transfer each successively engaged book from its position of initial engagement with the canier to a vertical position, a lifting device operable in timed relationship with the transfer device and movable between lower and upper positions for engaging each book immediately following itstransfor to the said vertical position and for-moving it Vertically upwardly therefrom, means enabling the said longi= tudinal guide to be adjusted transversely and in parallelism with the said conveyor plane to accommodate books of different widths, means enabling the said book support to be adjusted relatively to the book carrier and in parallelism with the said upper face thereof in accordance with the adjustment of the longitudinal guide, and means enabling the book lifting device to be vertically adjusted to change its said lower position in accordance with the adjustments of the longitudinal guide and of the book support. 7

17. in a book feeding mechanism, the combination of a conveyor including at least one longitudinal endless belt having its upper ran in an upwardly facing plane, the

'said upper run of the belt being adapted for the successive reception of books arranged in longitudinal sequence with tions, the said transfer device including a book carrier having an upper face which in the said lower position aligns with the said plane of the upper run of the belt for successively engaging books moved by the said belt, a stop normally fixed against longitudinal movement and positioned in the path of movement of the books from the conveyor belt and onto the carrier of the transfer device which stop serves to locate each successively engaged book in a predetermined position with respect to the said carrier, means for cyclically oscillating the transfer device between the said lower and upper positions to transfer each successively engaged book from its position of initial engagement with the carrier to a vertical position, an electric motor for operating the means for cyclically operating the transfer device, an electric circuit for the motor including two normally closed switches connected in parallel, means for momentarily opening the one switch during each cycle immediately before movement of the transfer device from its lower book engaging position, an arm connected with the'other switch and extending into the path of book movement which arm when engaged by a book serves to open the second said switch, the said arm being spaced in the trailing direction from the said stop by a distance slightly greater than the length of the books whereby the said arm serves to open the second said switch and to thereby cause the stopping of the motor whenever a book remains in engagement with the said arm immediately before movement of the transfer device from itstsaid lower position. 7

18. A book feeding mechanism as set forth in claim 17,

-wherein means is provided for enabling the said stop to be adjusted longitudinally to accommodate books of different lengths, and wherein means is provided for enabling the second said switch and the said arm to be adjusted longitudinally to accommodate books of different lengths.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS (Other references on following page) 21 UNITED STATES PATENTS Schramm Mar. 29, 1932 Dyhrberg Sept. 6, 1932 Wright Dec. 6, 1932 Schramm Mar. 28, 1939 Schxamm May 14, 1940 22 Knights -2 July 15, 1941 Strickler Apr. 10, 1945 Worth Feb. 15, 1949 Clements June 26, 1951 Tuttle June 26, 1951 Lehmann Oct. 23, 1951 De Florez June 2, 1953 

